Bush commends Israeli withdrawal, calls for effective Palestinian government
Palestine-USA, Politics, 8/24/2005

The US President George W. Bush commended on Tuesday the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and parts of the West Bank. He said that the Palestinians have to form an effective government.

In statements he made in Idaho, Bush described the plan of the Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon to split from the Palestinian as a brave decision that changed the dynamics on the ground and gave the Palestinian people hope and the opportunities of implementing the Roadmap peace plan.

Bush said "We have got Jim Wolfensohn, the former head of the World Bank, on the ground, helping President Abbas develop a government that responds to the will of the folks in Gaza.Ê In other words, this is step one in the development of a democracy.

"And so to answer your question, what must take place next is the establishment of a working government in Gaza, a government that responds to the people.Ê President Abbas has made a commitment to fight off the violence, because he understands a democracy can't exist with terrorist groups trying to take the law into their own hands.

"Along these lines, we've also got General Ward on the ground, helping the Palestinians consolidate their security forces.Ê It turns out that the post-Arafat regime is one of different factions and different security forces that were really in place to kind of maintain his power, but not necessarily to protect the overall security of the Palestinian people.Ê It's in the interest to consolidate the security forces, so that there is a -- the government has got a vehicle and a group of folks by which to help enforce order.

"You asked about the Roadmap.Ê Of course you want to get back to the Roadmap.Ê But I understand that in order for this process to go forward there must be confidence -- confidence that the Palestinian people will have in their own government to perform, confidence with the Israelis that they'll see a peaceful state emerging.Ê And therefore it's very important for the world to stay focused on Gaza, and helping Gaza -- helping the Gaza economy get going, helping rebuild the settlements for Gaza -- for the people of Gaza.

"This is a very hopeful period.Ê Again, I applaud Prime Minister Sharon for making a decision that has really changed the dynamics on the ground, and has really provided hope for the Palestinian people.Ê My vision, my hope is that one day we'll see two states -- two democratic states living side by side in peace."

Previous Stories:
  Bush optimistic about emergence of a peaceful Palestinian state   (8/15/2005)
  Abbas briefs Rice on withdrawal from Gaza developments   (8/12/2005)
  Presbyterians support church decision to divest of companies harming Palestinians   (8/8/2005)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search